Best Time to Visit Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Kota Bharu.
Kota Bharu does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (May, 28.3°C / 82.9°F) and driest (February, 70 mm / 2.8 in) months. The drier stretch runs through January–July; the wetter half falls in August–December. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 25.9°C / 78.6°F in January to 28.3°C / 82.9°F in May, with rainfall from 70 mm / 2.8 in (February) to 589 mm / 23.2 in (December). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Kota Bharu's climate is broadly tropical. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 26.4°C79.5°F | 70 mm2.8″ | — |
| April | 28.1°C82.6°F | 86 mm3.4″ | Tropical |
| March | 27.3°C81.1°F | 89 mm3.5″ | Tropical |
No month at Kota Bharu matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kota Bharu?
Kota Bharu doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on February (driest, ~70 mm / 2.8 in) and May (warmest, 28.3°C / 82.9°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Malaysia's national average.
When is the rainy season in Kota Bharu?
The rainy season at Kota Bharu, Kelantan runs through August–December, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 174 mm / 6.9 in. The wettest single month is December (589 mm / 23.2 in).
What is the driest month in Kota Bharu?
The driest month in Kota Bharu is February, averaging about 70 mm / 2.8 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 26.4°C / 79.5°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Kota Bharu?
The least comfortable months for travel to Kota Bharu — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, October, November, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 589 mm / 23.2 in in December, and the coldest month averages 25.9°C / 78.6°F.
Is Kota Bharu climate different from Malaysia overall?
Yes, usually. Our Kota Bharu figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Malaysia figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Kota Bharu specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.